Front loading refrigerator

[Panta Rei]

I'm looking to replace one of my iceboxes with a front loading refrigerator. Most everything in my galley is mirror finish stainless. I seem to recall seeing a refrigerator with such a finish on current model Hunter , Beneteau , or Catalina at the Annapolis show last year. Can anyone help point me the right direction? I'm looking for mirror stainless not brushed. Some models have a drop in front panel.

Any suggestion as to efficiency or features would be very helpful.

 

[Sumner]

..Any suggestion as to efficiency or features would be very helpful.

Can't help with finding one of the finish you are looking for but as for as efficiency it would be a fair amount worst than a top loader. I guess it boils down to how you use the boat. If it is slipped and day sailed and you have dock power not a big deal. If you are cruising multiple days and don't want to run the engine to charge then it could be a bigger deal. How is the boat used?

We pulled our front-loader out and ...

...replaced it with a top-loader that we made....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-inside-mods/inside-index.html

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Panta Rei]

Can't help with finding one of the finish you are looking for but as for as efficiency it would be a fair amount worst than a top loader. I guess it boils down to how you use the boat. If it is slipped and day sailed and you have dock power not a big deal. If you are cruising multiple days and don't want to run the engine to charge then it could be a bigger deal. How is the boat used?

We pulled our front-loader out and ...

...replaced it with a top-loader that we made....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-inside-mods/inside-index.html

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

I followed your link. Nice project. I must agree with you a top loader must be more efficient but fortunately, my boat has two top loaders. This O'day 39 was originally sold into a charter fleet in the BVI. O'day had an option to replace the nav station with a bar and top loading refrigerator. Hard to argue with that logic in the BVI.
I'll keep the top loader for beverages and replace the other with a front loader for food. Hopefully the factory built seal and carefully matched components will offset opening it a few times a day. If not, I intend to do coastal cruising so all I'll need is a 15 mile extension cord.

 

[Sumner]

..I'll keep the top loader for beverages and replace the other with a front loader for food. Hopefully the factory built seal and carefully matched components will offset opening it a few times a day. If not, I intend to do coastal cruising so all I'll need is a 15 mile extension cord.

Sounds like with both you have some good options there. Not sure about the extension cord though . Now hopefully someone can point you to one with the finish you want,

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Tim R.]

The ones I saw at the boat show last week were Dometic. They offer interchangeable fronts. I think their stainless one is brushed though.

http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/Marine/Refrigerators/Refrigeration/?productdataid=85709

 

[seadaddler]

Nova Cool

I have a Nova Cool made in Canada front load with polished front panel in my 2007 H-36,but so many on the market now and look Defender for some and internet.
My front load is 12 volt and surprising does not use much power but not that big but my wife loves it rather than chest ref,I also have a Engel portable that we use as freezer or ref.
Nick

 

[DJW]

Maybe one of the Vitrifrigo Drawer style units on Defender would work for you. I just installed the DW180 DTXAC/12/24 volt DC 5.1 cu ft double drawer unit on our 42' Cascade and although I have not seen it yet my wife who is on the boat now in HI loves it.

Dennis

 

[Panta Rei]

Thanks for all the help. I'm going to purchase Norcold that has an interchangeable front panel. I found that I can purchase 20 gauge mirror finish SS sheet for $25. Nova Cool looked nice but the Norcold was hard to beat for $714 for 3 Cu Ft unit.

 

[Steve Dion]

No sure why you want a front loader, but Isotherm makes some nice units.

http://www.emarineinc.com/categories/Refrigeration/

You may also want to check the electric draw for the different units (regardless of price). A few more dollars may pay out on reduced power consumptioon.